Coping with Toxic Managers, Subordinates…and Other Difficult People

Chapter 15. Surviving Aggression

Strengthening Your Defenses

Organizations and Aggressive Managers

Aggressive managers and executives can do significant damage to an organization's productivity and long-term development. They damage the morale and motivation of subordinates and peers, divert their energies from useful tasks, and drive away the most talented people.

There is much that leadership can do to establish a culture limiting destructive behavior at work, and thereby remove a significant obstacle to productivity and retention, as well as create a more humane, safe environment.

The basic steps in reforging aspects of an organization's culture are:

• Leaders act as role models and walk the talk.
• Leaders tell stories and myths supporting ...